The Goa Police have suspended the passports of the absconding Luthra brothers, owners of the upscale nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane”, after they fled the country in the aftermath of a devastating fire that claimed at least 23 lives.
According to officials, the brothers left for Thailand shortly after the incident, which took place late Saturday night following a cylinder blast inside the club. The blast triggered a massive blaze that rapidly engulfed parts of the property, leading to multiple fatalities and widespread panic among staff and visitors.
Authorities said the decision to suspend their passports was taken to prevent the duo from travelling further and to facilitate their return to India for questioning. Investigators are examining possible safety violations, including emergency exit issues, illegal construction, and whether the establishment had complied with fire safety norms.
The Goa Police have also alerted their counterparts in international agencies as part of a larger effort to trace and bring back the owners. Meanwhile, rescue teams and forensic experts are continuing to assess the damage and gather evidence as part of the ongoing probe into one of the deadliest nightclub fires the state has witnessed in recent years.